..续本文上一页e a teacher or student from a higher education institution, it is impossible to use an ordinary presupposition to overturn Buddhist teachings. Since ancient times, many philosophers, scientists, and logicians have praised the noble qualities of Lord Buddha. Thus, it is evident that these qualities are not superficial, as some may have imagined or presupposed.

　　A while back, when I was reading the Maharatnakuta Sutra, I came across a few chapters that focus on expounding the inconceivable noble qualities of Buddha”s body, speech, and wisdom. When I understood these noble qualities, a great feeling of joy arose in me. Due to this, I feel it is a shame that many others have not heard about these qualities. In In Praise of Dependent Arising, Je Tsongkhapa, by articulating the meaning of emptiness through dependent arising, indirectly praised he who spoke of dependent arising. Our guru Shakyamuni Buddha was the only one in this world able to elucidate dependent arising; nobody else could.

　　Of course, those who do not understand about Buddhism may be doubtful about this. They may think that Buddha is not necessarily so wonderful, and his teachings may not necessarily be so profound and vast. However, whatever your position, I hope you first focus your study and research on Buddhist truths. During this process, you will find your own answer, and may even be amazed by its profundity. This was exactly the case for Dr. Rhys Davids (1843-1922), the son of a well-known English clergyman, mentioned in a book named Blueprint of Happiness, which I had previously read about. Dr. Davids” original intention in studying Buddhism was to prove the superiority of Christianity over Buddhism. In the end, he failed in his original task, but achieved a greater victory than he expected—he became a Buddhist. Through a long-term, in-depth study, the truth of Buddhism fully convinced him deep down in his heart. He then aspired to and successfully translated the Pali Buddhist scriptures into English. This made it possible for thousands of westerners to make their first contact with the precious Buddhadharma, an act with everlasting benefits for sentient beings.

　　At present, people similar to Dr. Davids exist, and there are not just a few of them. For the sake of refuting or overturning Buddhism, they spent a long period of time studying and researching Buddhism, but, in the end, they surrendered and bow to the truth of Buddhism. What is the first thing we all should understand

　　 It is the profundity and vastness of Buddhism. It is not that we Buddhists are boasting and slandering others. From a fair and objective position, we investigate and evaluate, and then come to a conclusion grounded in valid reason.

　　II) Regarding the three turnings of the Dharma wheel

　　To summarize, Buddhist doctrines can be pided into the Hinayana and Mahayana. These two are mainly distinguished by the type of aspiration that we make: If our meditation and practice are solely for our own joy and happiness, and our own liberation, even if we study the Mahayana, Pure Land Buddhism, or Vajrayana Buddhism, this can only be called Hinayana Buddhism. If, however, the motivation for our study, contemplation, and meditation are to benefit boundless and countless sentient beings so that they can attain perfect buddhahood, this is called Mahayana Buddhism.

　　In the present world, there are many lineages of Buddhism; however, they can all be traced back to the 84,000 Dharma doors that Buddha taught 2,500 years ago. These 84,000 Dharma doors can be summarized as the first turning of the wheel of Dharma, the second turning of the wheel of Dharma, and the third turning of the wheel of Dharma.

　　1. The first turning of the wheel of Dharma

　　The first turning of the wheel of Dharma elucidated the Four N…

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